| Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) |
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| Sometimes survivors of crime want to meet with the person who harmed them. A face-to-face facilitated meeting is an option. VOD is a voluntary program that involves careful planning and preparation with a trained facilitator. VOD is a victim-centered program and only accepts referrals from survivors. |
| Other Options |
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| Many survivors would like to communicate with the offender but are not interested in meeting face-to-face. Our office can assist with a virtual meeting or written communication. These other options are still presented by a trained facilitator. |
| Is there a cost? |
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| All services through our office are free and confidential. |
| More Information |
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| Link to info page |
| Common Reasons Survivors Choose VOD |
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· To express the loss, trauma, and other impacts of the offense directly to the person responsible · To be more informed about the incident and have questions answered · To experience a greater sense of healing |
| Potential Outcomes for Offenders |
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· Gain a greater understanding of the harm suffered by victims · Have an opportunity to acknowledge the harm, express accountability, and find out how to, potentially, “make things right" · Repair some of the harm caused by the offense |
| Apology Letter Bank |
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| Offenders who wish to express an apology may participate in the Apology Letter Bank program. Victims may contact our office to see if the offender in their case has submitted a letter. |
| Contact |
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| If you are interested in the VOD program, please fill out this form. |
The Iowa DOC Victim Offender Dialogue Program adheres to the national standards and principles for Victim-Centered VOD which can be found here: www.navac.website/VOD..